water hyacinth
noun
: a showy floating aquatic herb (Eichhornia crassipes) of tropical South America that has become naturalized in warm regions (as of the southern U.S.) often clogging waterways
Examples of water hyacinth in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In 1910, America had two big problems to solve: a shortage of meat, and an abundance of invasive water hyacinth choking off the Mississippi river delta.
—
Sandra Gutierrez, Popular Science, 25 Oct. 2023
Numerous examples include water hyacinths clogging up lakes and rivers in Africa, lion fish impacting local fisheries in the Caribbean and the Giant African land snail taking over villages on Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean.
—Helen Regan, CNN, 5 Sep. 2023
The report deemed the water hyacinth, which is popping up everywhere from Africa to Australia, the most widespread invasive plant on Earth.
—Dino Grandoni, Anchorage Daily News, 5 Sep. 2023
Natural materials such as rattan and water hyacinth will match just about any home aesthetic and can be used to organize a variety of rooms in the house.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Aug. 2023
Instead, never release water hyacinth into the wild!
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 7 July 2023
More than a century later, water hyacinths still menace Southern waters.
—Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 May 2023
Yes, hippos would relish dining on water hyacinths.
—Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 May 2023
The paper backing is made from water hyacinth, an invasive plant species that has adversely affected Africa’s largest lake and the work of local fishermen.
—Emily Shiffer, womenshealthmag.com, 18 Apr. 2023
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Sandra Gutierrez, Popular Science, 25 Oct. 2023
Numerous examples include water hyacinths clogging up lakes and rivers in Africa, lion fish impacting local fisheries in the Caribbean and the Giant African land snail taking over villages on Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean.
—Helen Regan, CNN, 5 Sep. 2023
The report deemed the water hyacinth, which is popping up everywhere from Africa to Australia, the most widespread invasive plant on Earth.
—Dino Grandoni, Anchorage Daily News, 5 Sep. 2023
Natural materials such as rattan and water hyacinth will match just about any home aesthetic and can be used to organize a variety of rooms in the house.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Aug. 2023
Instead, never release water hyacinth into the wild!
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 7 July 2023
More than a century later, water hyacinths still menace Southern waters.
—Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 May 2023
Yes, hippos would relish dining on water hyacinths.
—Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 May 2023
The paper backing is made from water hyacinth, an invasive plant species that has adversely affected Africa’s largest lake and the work of local fishermen.
—Emily Shiffer, womenshealthmag.com, 18 Apr. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'water hyacinth.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1706, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near water hyacinth
Cite this Entry
“Water hyacinth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/water%20hyacinth. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
water hyacinth
noun
: a floating water plant often clogging waterways in the southern U.S.
More from Merriam-Webster on water hyacinth
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about water hyacinth
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